The armed faction loyal to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has seized new ground in Sokoto State, according to security commentator Basharu Altine as reported by The Whistler.
Altine said Turji and his fighters have relocated to Kuka Tara Forest after heavy flooding displaced them from their former bases in the lowland areas of Isa, Sabon Birni, and Shinkafi Local Government Areas.
Six motorcycles carrying gunmen and weapons, led by Duna, Turji’s younger brother, were seen establishing a new camp in the forest on Monday evening, Altine revealed.
He warned that the development signals a looming threat to surrounding communities. “The flooding has pushed Turji’s fighters into higher forested zones, but this relocation is also a tactical reorganization,” he said.
A notorious figure
Turji, born in Zamfara State, is a prominent bandit warlord operating across north-western Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger states. He is notorious for extortion, levying illegal taxes on rural populations, and even appointing local heads to consolidate his control.
Despite repeated military offensives, Turji’s faction has proven resilient, frequently regrouping in forest corridors to evade security operations.
Altine noted that their new position in western Shinkafi lies close to the former base of slain bandit Halilu Sububu and opens the possibility of alliances with other notorious commanders such as Kachalla Chomo and Kachalla Haru Dole, both long linked to attacks in Sokoto and Zamfara.
“Beyond Kuka Tara lies Dustin Gwabro, a strategic forest corridor bordering Bakura and Raba, which has sheltered fighters in the past. Among them was Dan Mai Gari, brother of Bashar Maniya who was killed in clashes with security forces in Fakai,” he explained.
Widening Crisis
The regrouping comes as Sokoto reels from fresh bandit attacks in Shagari Local Government Area, where thousands of residents have fled following raids marked by killings, kidnappings, and looting.
“The spread of attacks into Shagari shows that the crisis is widening beyond Sokoto East, if Turji’s gang consolidates in Kuka Tara, it will only intensify the displacement of rural populations,” Altine said.
He further warned: “If the gang entrenched itself in Kuka Tara forest and adjoining forests stretching from Gundumi to Dustin Gwabro, the zone could become a major sanctuary for bandits. This would threaten the fragile peace of Raba, Shinkafi, Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo and Wurno LGAs.”
Altine urged authorities to respond with urgency. “Failure to act now will endanger lives and property on a massive scale. The people of Sokoto deserve protection and peace,” he cautioned.
Turji remains one of Nigeria’s most wanted bandits. The military has declared him wanted and continues to launch operations to capture him. However, his fighters have mounted deadly counterattacks.
Global think tank Jamestown Foundation described Bello Turji as a figure of strategic significance in northwestern Nigeria, noting that he could become a dangerous adversary if he aligned with jihadist groups, or a powerful yet unreliable ally if he chose to support the government.
‘“But his continued refusal to take a side in Abuja’s fight against Islamism over the last three years and the waning strength of his forces suggests that Turji’s importance should not be overstated in the current fight,” it stated.